Dutch artist sculpts new work on campus

April 18, 2002

KALAMAZOO -- A new, innovative piece of sculpture is in the
works at Western Michigan University, and spectators can watch
it being created starting today, April 18.

The massive, outdoor piece is being sculpted using chainsaws
from a large oak tree that was delivered by truck to rear of
the Knollwood Building. It is being designed and built by Dutch
artist Mari Shields. Born in Maine, Shields has lived in Amsterdam
since 1972 and maintains dual citizenship in the United States
and the Netherlands.

Shields has already begun preliminary work on the tree at
the site where the tree was located in Three Oaks, Mich. The
project is expected to continue through the weekend and into
early next week.

Shields' sculpture has been attracting attention the world
over. Her work has been included in public collections in the
Netherlands in Amsterdam, Albrandswaard and Utrecht Province
and is currently on semi-permanent loan in the United States
to Wendall Sculpture Park in Urbana, Ill., the Franconia Sculpture
Park in Shafer, Minn., the Plattsburgh Museum of Art in Plattsburgh,
N.Y., and Sycamore City Park in Sycamore, Ill. It also has been
featured annually in Pier Walk exhibitions in Chicago at the
Field Museum, Daly Center and Navy Pier since 1997 and at the
Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.

WMU students and faculty will assist Shields in her project
here. The well-known chainsaw manufacturer Stihl is donating
the use of three chainsaws. Once completed, the sculpture will
become part of the WMU Sculpture Tour.

Having an artist like Shields come to campus and demonstrate
her sculpting process will provide a unique and valuable learning
experience for students and faculty alike, says Carol Rhodes,
a WMU art instructor and Sculpture Tour administrator.

"I think it will be very exciting for us on a lot of
different levels," Rhodes says. "It's unlike anything
we've done before and its always nice to bring in a variety of
works of art and expose the campus community to work that people
wouldn't ordinarily see."